Parents have been examining their children’s precious Halloween treats for decades now, sifting through pillowcases of fun-sized chocolate bars and searching for tampered with wrappers. While candy quality control is still a good practice, it’s just one of the ways to make this Halloween a safe one for Trick-Or-Treaters.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a list of tips that if followed, will help keep everyone safe on a holiday that already offers enough to be spooked about.

PREPARATION

There’s much to do prior to the main event on Oct. 31. Pay attention to details when it comes to costumes and trick-or-treating routes. But first, CDC recommends serving a hearty and nutritious family meal before hitting the streets so that children will be less tempted to fill up on too much candy at once.

Make sure children’s costumes are bright, reflective and fire-resistant. Consider adding reflective tape to trick-or-treat bags. CDC also advises that children wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes, in order to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.

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Even better than masks that could limit or block a child’s eyesight is makeup, CDC says. But it is recommended to use non-toxic makeup and to first test the makeup in a small area before applying it all over. Lower the risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses as part of a costume.

Swords, knives and other costume accessories of the sort should always be short, soft and flexible, according to CDC. Anticipate a chilly fall night, and dress children in layers under their costumes.

Older kids who are permitted to trick-or-treat in a trusted neighborhood without their parents should have their route mapped out in advance and keep a charged cell phone handy.

TRICK-OR-TREAT

It comes but once a year, and some children anticipate for many months the arrival of a day when it’s acceptable to go door-to-door asking for candy. CDC offers a game plan for keeping the night sweet.

Young children should never trick-or-treat without a trusted adult, even if they’re sticking to their own neighborhood, CDC says. Older kids trick-or-treating without an adult should stay together in a group of friends, stick to their chosen route and accept candy from front porches only — never enter homes without an adult.

When trick-or-treating at night, CDC suggests traveling with flashlights. Never walk close to lit candles or luminaries and walk — don’t run — from house to house.

Stick to normal traffic rules by walking on sidewalks whenever possible (stay to the far edge of the road facing traffic when there is no established sidewalk), looking both ways before crossing the street and never assuming right of way, as drivers may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters, according to CDC.

Keep track of time, and don’t trick-or-treat after 9 p.m.

NIGHT’S END

Once the candy’s been collected, parents need to step in and examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before allowing children to eat anything, CDC says. Homemade treats that did not come from a close friend or family member are something to be wary about. CDC says, in most cases, only factory-wrapped treats should be eaten.

Parents also should limit the amount of treats children eat and try to ration candy over several days or weeks so that children are limited to a few pieces per day.

The “Halloween Safety Sticks” come in bright, day-glow colors, are easy to use and will last for a couple of hours. Glow sticks, limited to one per child, will be available beginning Oct. 25 at the East Norriton Township building (2501 Stanbridge St.) the West Norriton Township building (1630 Marhsall St.) and Valley Forge Marketplace (Egypt and Trooper roads); and at the Plymouth Township building (700 Belvoir Road).

Mall-O-Ween, trick-or-treating for children at King of Prussia Mall (North Gulph Road), will be held Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon in the JC Penny Court. Information: www.simon.com.

Trick or Treat Night at Northtowne Plaza Shopping Center in East Norriton (intersection of Dekalb Pike and Germantown pike) will be held Oct. 31 from 4 to 7 p.m. Tornetta Realty also will distribute glow sticks during this time. Information: www.northtowne-plaza.com.